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Determination of Heavy Metals in Fish Tissues, Water and

Sediment from Epe and Badagry Lagoons, Lagos, Nigeria

Article  in  E-Journal of Chemistry · January 2010

DOI: 10.1155/2010/676434

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 ISSN: 0973-4945; CODEN ECJHAO
E-Journal of Chemistry
http://www.e-journals.net 2010, 7(1), 215-221

Determination of Heavy Metals in Fish Tissues,

Water and Sediment from Epe and Badagry
Lagoons, Lagos, Nigeria

R. A. OLOWU*§, O. O. AYEJUYO‡, G. O. ADEWUYI#, I. A. ADEJORO#,

A. A. B. DENLOYE, A. O. BABATUNDE§ and A. L. OGUNDAJO§

*§
Department of Chemistry,
Lagos State University (LASU), PMB 1087 Apapa, Lagos, Nigeria.
‡
Department of Chemistry, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos, Nigeria.
#
Department of Chemistry, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
Department of Zoology, LASU, Nigeria.
raade_olowu@yahoo.co.uk

Received 17 July 2009; Accepted 10 September 2009

Abstract: Water samples, sediments, tilapia and cat fishes from each of Epe
and Badagry lagoons in Lagos State, Nigeria were analyzed quantitatively for
the presence of zinc, nickel and iron using Perking Elmer atomic absorption
spectrophotometer. The sediment contains higher concentration of Fe with a
value of 13.30 µg/g against 8.400 µg/g in fishes and 7.30 mg/L in water.
Studies on the different parts of the fish revealed higher concentrations of 4.00 µg/g
Ni on the head of tilapia fish followed by 2.40 µg/g Ni in the intestine of cat
fish. The highest concentration of 1.95 µg/g Zn was detected on the head of the
cat fish while the lowest concentration with a value of 0.16 µg/g was recorded
in tilapia head. The concentration of Zn in the water is within the limits
permitted by the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) of
1.0 mg/L Zn set for water. None of the trace metals investigated was above the
maximum permissible level set by world health organization ( WHO).
Keywords: Fish tissue, Sediment, Bioaccumulation, Tilapia, Cat fish.

Introduction
As a commercial hub and the industrial nerve center of Nigeria with an estimated population
of more than 20 million people, environmental concerns are normally focused on Lagos
State. Over 60% of Nigeria’s industries are cited in the state, each discharging its
characteristic range of effluents containing heavy metals into the terrestrial and aquatic
216 R. A. OLOWU et al.

ecosystems within the state. Typically, the lagoon system in Lagos State is made up of Badagry,
Ologe, Lagos, Lekki and Epe lagoons which act as sink or reservoir receiving effluents of over
10,000 m3 daily from drainages through different parts of the metropolis and hinterland1,2.
Expectedly therefore, studies have been conducted on fish which is a highly valued food that
contain balance level of amino acid, vitamin B12 cholesterol, high polysaturated fatty and it
accounts for 40% of the animal protein in the diet of Nigerians3. Coastal fisheries provide a
yearly average of 92.2% of the total fish production and are dependent on riverine, lagoon and
inshore water. Epe and Badagry lagoons are veritable sources of fishery in Nigeria but
surprisingly, it has received little attention in heavy metal studies relative to the Lagos Lagoon
known widely as a sink for these metals from various industries spread across Lagos State3,4.
Recent studies have shown for instance that human activities have created ecological pressure on
the natural habitat of fish and other marine organism over time. There is an upsurge of interest in
water pollution as a result of this deleterious effect. Furthermore, factors such as high population
growth accompanied by intensive urbanization, increase in industrial activities and higher
exploitation of natural resources including cultivable land have caused pollution increase. There
has been a steady increase in discharges that reaches the aquatic environment from industries,3.
Large amount of organic material are released into the water body although some industrial
process such as pump mill and sugar processing plant also produce much finely divided organic
material as waste product, which is broken down easily by bacteria activities resulting in the
reduction of oxygen level or even anaerobic condition in the vicinity of an effluent4,6. In addition
to direct depletion of oxygen, the decomposition of large quantities of organic material in the
water produces inorganic nutrients such as ammonia, nitrate and phosphorus. These enrich
the water considerably and give rise to dense algae growth or bloom which can cause the
wide daily fluctuations in oxygen described for fish pound and in extreme condition, fish –
kill can result. This increased productivity caused by excessive organics load can cause a
decline in water quality and this symptom of over production is known as eutrophication3,5,7.
Sediments have been reported to form the major repository of heavy metal in aquatic
system while both allochthonous and autochthonous influences could make a concentration
of heavy metals in the water high enough to be of ecological significance3,,8-11.
Bioaccumulation and magnification is capable of leading to toxic level of these metals in
fish, even when the exposure is low. The presence of metal pollutant in fresh water is known
to disturb the delicate balance of the aquatic ecosystem. Fishes are notorious for their ability
to concentrate heavy metals in their muscles and since they play important role in human
nutrition, they need to be carefully screened to ensure that unnecessary high level of some
toxic trace metals are not being transfer to man through fish consumption11-13,.
Earlier reports showed that industrial and domestic effluent constitute largest sources of
heavy metal which contribute to the steadily increasing metallic contaminant in aquatic and
terrestrials environment in most part of the world6,14,15,. The study of heavy metals and
microbial contamination of tilapia specie in Lagos lagoon revealed a higher value in the
whole body as well as different parts of the fish than the water samples11,16,17.
More studies in the distribution of heavy metals in water bodies reveal that the levels of
heavy metals in the bottom sediment are usually higher than in the water columns which
shows that sediments acts as sink for heavy metal3,11,18.
This paper is geared towards determining the distribution of heavy metal in the fish part,
water column and sediments of Epe and Badagry lagoons with the aim of assessing the
influence of discharged into the water body through the industries and with a view to
establishing a baseline data on the current pollution status of the lagoon environment.
 Determination of Heavy Metals in Fish Tissues 217

Experimental
Sampling was carried out in accordance with the recommendation of UNEP reference
method for marine pollution studies11. The fish, water and sediment samples were taken
from Epe and Badagry following the method already described3. The species used for the
study are tilapia fish (Tilapia zilli) and cat fish (Chrysichthys nigrodigatatus). Each fish
species were caught at Epe and Badagry lagoons using drag net, which were usually left
over night in the lagoon by local fishermen. The netted fish were recovered each morning in
a picnic box with some quantity of lagoon water to the laboratory. Each fish was properly
cleaned by rinsing with distilled water to remove debris planktons and other external
adherent. It was then drained under folds of filter, weighed, wrapped in aluminum foil and
then frozen at –10 0C prior to analysis.
For analysis the fish samples were defrosted for two hours. The scales were removed
and each separated into Head, Trunk, Gills and the intestine using plastic knife. The fish
parts from the 2 lagoons were dried at 80 0C for 2 h in Gallenkamp hot box oven and then
blended in an electric moulinex blender.
Approximately 2.0 g each of sample was weighed and ashed in the furnace at 550 oC for 90
mins.The ash was dissolved in 5 mL of concentrated nitric acid and made up to 25 mL volume.
Atomic Absorption Spectrometer was used to determine the presence of zinc nickel and iron.
Sediment samples
Bottom sediment from each study sites was collected into pre-cleaned polythene bag using a
stainless van-ven grab, air dried and then sieved with 200 mm mesh screen. 5 g of the sediment
were taken into 150 mL conical flasks. 50 mL of 0.1 M HCl was added and the flask was agitated
on an orbital shaker for 30 min at 200 rev/min. The content was filtered into 50 mL standard
flask and made up to mark with 0.1 M HCl for the determination of zinc, nickel and iron.
Water samples
Surface water samples were collected using a plastic container. 5 mL of concentrated
hydrochloric acid was added to 250 mL of water sample and evaporated to 25 mL. The
concentrate was transferred to a 50 mL flask and diluted to mark with distilled water. Metal
contents were determined using 304 u/c Atomic Absorption Spectrometer to determine the
presence of zinc nickel and Iron.
Results and Discussion
Sediment analysis
The concentration of the trace metals determined in the sediments of Epe lagoon and
Badagry lagoon are indicated in Tables 1 & 2. Zinc, nickel and iron were detected in the
samples with iron having the highest concentration. The high content of iron in the sediment
may be because of the clayey material that forms the river bed in the area sampled. This may
explain the high concentration recorded in the fish intestine. The fish, being carnivores may
have taken the iron from the iron rich bed material along with food which is in an agreement
with earlier reports1,11
The high concentration recorded in the sediment may be attributed also to human
activities such as the discharge of untreated sewage and uses of metals and industrial
materials that contain metals as well as the ability of the sediment to act as sink8,10,. It has
also be reported that iron occurs at high concentration in most Nigeria soils1,8.
218 R. A. OLOWU et al.

Table 1. Metal distribution in Epe Lagoon samples.

Samples Zn, µg/g Ni, µg/g Fe, ug/g
Head 0.16 4.00 0.11
Tilapia Trunk 0.552 2.00 0.10
Tail 0.95 1.20 1.84
Gills 1.02 0.00 1.12
Intestine 1.29 1.20 7.20

Head 1.95 1.00 0.25

Trunk 0.62 2.00 0.21
Tail 0.53 2.30 2.19
Catfish

Gills 0.73 0.80 0.89

Intestine 1.35 2.80 6.50
Sediment 2.48 3.20 13.30
Water 0.42 mg/L 0.60 mg/L 7.30 mg/L
Table 2. Metal distribution in Badagry Lagoon samples.
Samples Zn µg/g Ni µg/g Fe µg/g
Head 0.20 ND 0.20
Tilapia

Trunk 0.44 2.15 0.20

Tail 1.03 1.50 2.24
Gills 1.30 ND 1.32
Intestine 0.81 1.20 8.02

Head 0.25 ND 0.35

Trunk 0.49 0.17 0.23
Tail 1.05 0.009 2.29
Catfish

Gills 1.32 ND 8.40

Intestine 0.89 ND 8.40
Sediment 1.95 2.30 11.25
Water 0.54 mg/L 0.10 6.65 mg/L
Fish and water analysis
The concentrations of metal in the various fish part caught from Epe and Badagry lagoons
are shown in the Table 1 & 2 respectively. The concentrations of metals in fish indicate the
level of metal pollution of the water from which it is caught. In the three major body divisions,
the metal found mostly abundant in the fish was iron which ranged between 0.11-6.50 µg/g in
Epe lagoon and between 0.20-8.40 µg/g in Badagry lagoon as shown in the Figure 1 (a-d)
which is represented with bar chart. It was found to be more concentrated in the intestine of
both fishes from the aquatic environment which may be due to the function of intestine, which
serves as the ultimate depository of all substance coming into the fish alimentary canal3,10,11,.
Nickel is the second highest in the level of metals concentration and ranged from N.D-4.00 µg/g
and ranged from N.D-2.30 in Epe lagoon and Badagry lagoon. Zinc ranged from 0.16-1.95 µg/g
and 0.20-1.32 µg/g in Epe and Badagry lagoons respectively. Its however concentrated in the
head, gills trunk, tail and intestine. The high concentrations of iron and zinc in the fish parts
could be associated with the fact that this metals are naturally abundant in Nigeria soils and
since the source of metal depositories are the aquatic system1,8,19.
 Determination of Heavy Metals in Fish Tissues 219

(a)
Concentration, µg/g

Tilapia

(b)
Concentration, µg/g

Tilapia

(c)
Concentration, µg/g

Cat fish
220 R. A. OLOWU et al.

Concentration, µg/g (d)

Cat fish
Figure 1. (a) Distribution of heavy metals in tilapia from Epe lagoon, (b) Distribution of
heavy metals in tilapia from Badagry lagoon, (c) Distribution of heavy metals in catfish and
sediment from Epe lagoon, (d) Distribution of heavy metals in catfish and sediment from
Badagry lagoon.
The concentration level in the head and gills could also be attributed to the fact that
water always passes through mouth and gill when the water is filtered, this is correlated with
the findings of food and agricultural organization11,20,21,. The significant level of nickel
concentration is directly proportional to the size of the fish21. Zinc, nickel and iron were
detected in the sampled water. Iron has the highest concentration in both samples which is
followed by Zinc with a concentration of 0.54 mg/L in Epe lagoon and 0.40 mg/L in
Badagry lagoon. The level of heavy metal determined in the samples of Epe and Badagry
Lagoon are lower than those reported in the sediment which is in agreement with earlier
report1,10,11. The average values are far less than the United States Environment Protection
Agency in Marine water. A comparison of this result with that of the developed countries
shows a lower level in the fish studied because the value is below United State for food and
drug agency (USFDA) maximum permissible level (MPL) for those metals10,11,22,. Since the
fishes investigated contained trace metals at a concentration below the world health
organization. (WHO) standard one may conclude that the level of the metal in the sample
analyzed would not constitute any health hazard.
On the basis of this tilapia fish (tilapia Zilli) and cat fish (chryscichthys
nogrodigitatus) both from the Epe and Badagry Lagoon may be considered safe for
consumption but the need for continuous monitoring to prevent bioaccumulation is
necessary1 .
Going by this result it could be inferred that Epe lagoon is more polluted than
Badagry lagoon but both are less polluted than the river Nile in Egypt and Iskenderun bay in
Turkey11,21,23. The foregoing underscores the low level of metal pollution of Epe and
Badagry lagoons and its fisheries resources. It is important that adequate monitoring of the
water quality of the rivers should be consistently carried out. Appropriate measure such as
legislative provision and other tools for effective and environmental monitoring should be
mounted and used with a view to protecting and enhancing the better quality and resources
of these Lagoons.
 Determination of Heavy Metals in Fish Tissues 221

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